German actor Marc Rissmann has joined the cast of the upcoming historical drama Bloodaxe. He will play Greycloak, the eldest brother of the main character, the famous Viking raider Erik Bloodaxe. The new series is being produced by Amazon MGM Studios and comes from the creative team behind the popular ‘Vikings’ franchise.
The Character and The Story
Rissmann will portray Greycloak, a character positioned at the very heart of the story’s central family dynamics. As the eldest brother of Erik Bloodaxe, played by Xavier Molyneux, Greycloak is expected to bring a layer of complex family loyalty and conflict to the narrative.
The official plot summary sets the stage for a brutal power struggle. The story follows Erik Bloodaxe and his powerful wife, Gunnhild, Mother of Kings, played by Jessica Madsen, as they fight for the throne of Norway. The kingdom is described as being torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals. The looming war and chaos draw in the ruthless kings of other Scandinavian countries and even a powerful English ruler, setting the stage for a large-scale Norse saga.
The Creative Team Behind the Series
Bloodaxe is created, written, and executive produced by Michael Hirst and his son, Horatio Hirst. Michael Hirst is the mastermind behind the History Channel’s Vikings and also served as an executive producer on the Netflix follow-up, Vikings: Valhalla. This new series marks his third project set in the Viking Age.
However, Bloodaxe is not a direct sequel or prequel to those earlier shows. Instead, it is a standalone story that exists within its own timeline. The series is set decades after the events of the original Vikings and decades before Vikings: Valhalla, allowing it to tell a new story while sharing a similar creative spirit.
The executive production team also includes Morgan O’Sullivan, Steve Stark, Arturo Interian, John Weber, and Sheila Hockin. The series is a production of MGM Television, a division of Amazon MGM Studios.
Marc Rissmann’s Previous Roles
Marc Rissmann is no stranger to major television series. Global audiences will recognize him for his roles in several high-profile shows. He played the German immigrant Josef in Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone spin-off, 1883, where his character undertook a perilous journey to the American West.
He also appeared in the alternate-history drama The Man in the High Castle on Prime Video. Other notable credits include a role in the Game of Thrones franchise and the Disney+ series Andor. On the big screen, he recently starred alongside Rami Malek in the spy thriller The Amateur.
Production Status and Timeline
Production for Bloodaxe is officially underway. Filming commenced in early June 2025, with principal photography taking place in Ireland and Iceland. The production is utilizing the landscapes of these countries to bring the 10th-century Norse world to life. As of now, Amazon has not announced an official release date for the series.
Also Read: Where to Watch Vikings: Valhalla Season 3 Online: Complete Streaming Guide for the Final Season
